Project information

Pre-Primary Education in West Bengal

We are supporting 6 pre-primary schools in rural West Bengal. These communities are some of the most disadvantaged in India. The schools give an all-round educational experience developing a school-going habit. The teachers are local women who acquire status and income for their needy families.

Charity information: Youth Education Service Limited

Need

With no early pre-school opportunity, certain problems could arise. The students will go to work in the fields with their mothers so no school-going habit will be established, maybe leading to school drop-out in later years Alternative state run pre-school centres often have poorly trained staff and offer low quality education. There is little scope for working women outside the home. Some malnutrition is evident in the students.

Solution

The schools are open 6 days a week for 3 hours giving mothers an opportunity to work alone in the fields. The schools offer the students a child-centred interesting rounded curriculum that they will wish to attend. The caring staff are experienced local teachers who are trained to teach all areas of the curriculum. The students receive a nutritious daily midday meal.

Activities

Impact

The teachers keep an attendance record for each school and the supervisor will notice if the number of students is increasing. The primary teachers will report back to the pre-primary centres if they are happy with the students that they receive. The parents will make their comments at the regular school meetings. Their financial contributions will be regular if they are satisfied

Risk

Local politics may be volatile and cause the closure of the schools. Competition from other schools. It is necessary for the financial viability of the schools that the numbers are constant or increasing.
Dealing with the risks - Regular parental meetings that will encourage the support and understanding of the aims of the schools in the community. The aim is that the community will pull together to support the schools because they value them. The schools are caring and welcoming places and are

Reporting

Donors receive an annual newsletter reporting the latest happenings in the schools that is written following the annual visit of Maggie Flanagan. The accountants’ report is written annually and is available if requested.
Maggie Flanagan is always happy to discuss the progress of the schools.

Current Funding / Pledges

Location

The schools are in the district of Midnapore about 200 miles south-west of Kolkata in West Bengal. It is a lush, tropical environment with banana, coconut and mango trees and many dug ponds for fish cultivation. The rural communities are poor, growing mostly paddy and some vegetables. They are mixed Hindu and Moslem faith, and some tribal children. Their culture is rich with many festivals and celebrations from the different faiths.

Beneficiaries

The children will benefit because they have the daily experience of a cheerful daily stimulating school environment. This will give them a good start in their lives and a positive attitude towards future education. The women are trained, giving them status in the village and a regular income. The parents are free to go to work in the fields, knowing that their children are well cared for.

Why Us?

Because it is run by people who have lived in the villages that use the schools and who understand the needs of the families and the challenges that they face daily. We have built a rapport with the teachers that helps us to ensure the smooth running of the schools. The teachers’ training is given by people who are experienced in pre-primary education and/or have knowledge of Bengali culture.